Funding for bacterial virus research

BigDNA, which is working on innovative vaccination methods, has received the SMART award to further its research into bacterial viruses, or phages.

Dr John March, Chief Executive of BigDNA, revealed that the firm hopes to develop ways to use phages to give DNA vaccinations to individuals.

The process in development by the firm would allow vaccinations to be administered in oral form and also means they can be manufactured more easily and at less expense than the current alternatives.

With our novel technology we have made serious progress in the fight against infectious diseases

John March

Chief Executive

BigDNA

Noting that traditionally all vaccinations required the use of a needle, Dr March said the innovation could "save millions of lives in the future".

"BigDNA aims to speed up the process of producing vaccines, reducing the costs of production, and importantly allowing vaccinations in all species to be delivered without the use of needles," he explained.

"With our novel technology we have made serious progress in the fight against infectious diseases", Dr March concluded.

BigDNA is based at the Roslin BioCentre science park in Edinburgh.

The firm was established in 2007 by Dr March and Dr Jason Clark as a spin-out from the Moredun Research Institute and aims to produce cheap and efficient vaccines for developing countries.